Samuel Osmond is a 19-year-old law student from Cornwall, England. He never studied the piano. However, he can play very difficult musical pieces by musicians such as Chopin and Beethoven just a few minutes after he hears them. He learns a piece of music by listening to it in parts. Then he thinks about the notes in his head. Two years ago, he played his first piece Moonlight Sonata(奏鸣曲)by Beethoven. He surprised everyone around him.

Amazed that he remembered this long and difficult piece of music and played it perfectly, his teachers say Samuel is unbelievable. They say his ability is very rare, but Samuel doesn’t even realize that what he can do is special. Samuel wanted to become a lawyer as it was the wish of his parents, but music teachers told him he should study music instead. Now, he studies law and music.

Samuel can’t understand why everyone is so surprised. “I grew up with music. My mother played the piano and my father played the guitar. About two years ago, I suddenly decided to start playing the piano, without being able to read music and without having any lessons. It comes easily to me ---I hear the notes and can bear them in mind---each and every note,” says Samuel.

Recently, Samuel performed a piece during a special event at his college. The piece had more than a thousand notes. The audience was impressed by his amazing performance. He is now learning a piece that is so difficult that many professional(专业的) pianists can’t play it. Samuel says confidently,” It’s all about super memory---I guess I have that gift.”

However, Samuel’s ability to remember things doesn’t stop with music. His family says that even when he was a young boy, Samuel heard someone read a story, and then he could retell the story word for word.

Samuel is still only a teenager. He doesn’t know what he wants to do in the future. For now, he is just happy to play beautiful music and continue his studies.

1.What is special about Samuel Osmond?

A. He has a gift for writing music.

B. He can write down the note he hears.

C. He is a top student at the law school.

D. He can play the musical piece he hears.

2.What can we learn from the passage?

A. Samuel chose law against the wish of his parents.

B. Samuel planned to be a lawyer rather than a musician.

C. Samuel thinks of himself as a man of great musical ability.

D. Samuel studies law and music on the advice of his teachers.

3. Everyone around Samuel was surprised because he _________.

A. received a good early education in music

B. played the guitar and the piano perfectly

C. could play the piano without reading music

D. could play the guitar better than his father

4.What can we infer(推断) about Samuel in Paragraph 4?

A. He became famous during a special event at his college.

B. He is proud of his ability to remember things accurately(精确地).

C. He plays the piano better than many professional pianists.

D. He impressed the audience by playing all the musical pieces.

5.Which of the following is the best title of the passage?

A. The Qualities of a Musician

B. The Story of a Musical Talent

C. The Importance of Early Education

D. The Relationship between Memory and Music.

Better Time for Teenagers to Keep Healthy

Things to do

Brushing teeth

Drinking milk

Going to bed

Eating fruits

Common time

After getting up or before sleeping

During breakfast

Around 23;00

After meals

Time from experts’ suggestion

3 minutes after meal

Before sleeping

Around 21;00

An hour before meals

Advantage

To reduce germs in the mouth

To keep bones strong and help sleep well

To be good for a deep sleep

To keep the body strong

Warm tip

Brush the tongue while brushing teeth

Avoid drinking it when having a stomachache

Sleep for at least 8 hours every night

Wash carefully before eating them

Word Box:germ 细菌tip提示

1.Teenagers are used to drinking milk according to the information above.

A. before sleeping B. during breakfast

C.3 minutes after meal D.4 minutes after meal

2.Teenagers often go to bed hour(s)later than the time the experts ‘suggest.

A.one B.two C.three D.four

3. and are helpful to keep teenagers strong according to the information above.

A.Drinking milk;eating fruits

B.Going to bed ;brushing teeth.

C..Eating fruits;reducing germs.

D.Drinking milk; brushing teeth.

4.If a teenager goes to bed at the time based on the experts’ suggestions,the earliest time for him to get up will be in the morning.

A.5:00 B.6:00 C.7:00 D.8:00

5.Which of the following is TRUE according to the information above?

A.Some experts suggest washing fruits carelessly an hour before meals.

B.To brush the tongue after meals is good for a deep sleep.

C.Teenagers with a stomachache had better avoid drinking milk.

D.Teenagers should sleep for at least 6 hours every night.

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